NBA Playoffs 2019-2020

[Donoghus]

You guys keep underestimating Luka.

2018: He was good in Europe, but can he do it in the NBA?
2019: He was good last season, but can he do it again this season now that opposing teams know his game?
2020: He was good thus far in the regular season, but can he do it in the playoffs?

I mean, what's left for him to prove to you guys? If you ask me, Luka is the next Larry/Magic/LeBron. These are the players I'd compare him to. Magic won Finals MVP as a rookie. Larry reached the ECF as a rookie. Sure, Luka is younger than Magic-Bird were during their 2nd season, but he's been playing pro basketball at the highest possible level in Europe since the age of 16! The kid won the European Championship at the age of 18. He was the second best player on his team at the time behind Goran Dragic. He won the Euroleague regular season MVP and the Euroleague Final 4 MVP at the age of 19! Just because you guys couldn't care less about european basketball, it doesn't mean that his achievements were less spectacular. Nobody has ever done these things in the past. Nobody! Yes, he's only 21 years old. So what? The kid is playing winning basketball.

Imo, the Mavs are the 3rd favorites to win the West. If they beat the Clips, they'll become 2nd favorites. LeBron is a GOAT candidate, but he ain't getting any younger. Luka is the new LeBron. I don't think he'll win it all this year, but it's definitely a possibility. At the very least, it's way more likely that Luka beats Bron than it is for Harden and Westbrook to beat him.

All I see is pages and pages of people gushing over Luka.

Where are the people that "keep underestimating Luka" here?


It seems like you got this Luka/Europe chip on your shoulder.

NBA regular season
Everybody: excited to see what Luka can do in the playoffs.
You: why do you need to see him perform in the playoffs?  He played in the playoffs in Europe!

NBA playoffs
Everybody: wow Luka is amazing
You: why are you all still underestimating Luka.

There's literally multiple comments comparing Luka to Bird/MJ/LeBron in this thread, calling him an all time great, future MVP, etc., I don't think there's one negative thing about him in this thread.

I agree.  Most people have been high as heck on Doncic.  Many well before the '18 draft, in fact. 

This board is been gushing all over Luka, for the most part, going back to his Euroleague days.

[Jvalin]

You guys keep underestimating Luka.

2018: He was good in Europe, but can he do it in the NBA?
2019: He was good last season, but can he do it again this season now that opposing teams know his game?
2020: He was good thus far in the regular season, but can he do it in the playoffs?

I mean, what's left for him to prove to you guys? If you ask me, Luka is the next Larry/Magic/LeBron. These are the players I'd compare him to. Magic won Finals MVP as a rookie. Larry reached the ECF as a rookie. Sure, Luka is younger than Magic-Bird were during their 2nd season, but he's been playing pro basketball at the highest possible level in Europe since the age of 16! The kid won the European Championship at the age of 18. He was the second best player on his team at the time behind Goran Dragic. He won the Euroleague regular season MVP and the Euroleague Final 4 MVP at the age of 19! Just because you guys couldn't care less about european basketball, it doesn't mean that his achievements were less spectacular. Nobody has ever done these things in the past. Nobody! Yes, he's only 21 years old. So what? The kid is playing winning basketball.

Imo, the Mavs are the 3rd favorites to win the West. If they beat the Clips, they'll become 2nd favorites. LeBron is a GOAT candidate, but he ain't getting any younger. Luka is the new LeBron. I don't think he'll win it all this year, but it's definitely a possibility. At the very least, it's way more likely that Luka beats Bron than it is for Harden and Westbrook to beat him.

All I see is pages and pages of people gushing over Luka.

Where are the people that "keep underestimating Luka" here?


It seems like you got this Luka/Europe chip on your shoulder.

NBA regular season
Everybody: excited to see what Luka can do in the playoffs.
You: why do you need to see him perform in the playoffs?  He played in the playoffs in Europe!

NBA playoffs
Everybody: wow Luka is amazing
You: why are you all still underestimating Luka.

There's literally multiple comments comparing Luka to Bird/MJ/LeBron in this thread, calling him an all time great, future MVP, etc., I don't think there's one negative thing about him in this thread.

Just read the previous posts man. The convo was about which team can beat the Lakers. Sparz mentioned the Jazz. RMO and Jim mentioned the Rockets. Nobody mentioned the Mavs. Imo, they are 3rd favorites to win the West right now. That's my point.

[Donoghus]

You guys keep underestimating Luka.

2018: He was good in Europe, but can he do it in the NBA?
2019: He was good last season, but can he do it again this season now that opposing teams know his game?
2020: He was good thus far in the regular season, but can he do it in the playoffs?

I mean, what's left for him to prove to you guys? If you ask me, Luka is the next Larry/Magic/LeBron. These are the players I'd compare him to. Magic won Finals MVP as a rookie. Larry reached the ECF as a rookie. Sure, Luka is younger than Magic-Bird were during their 2nd season, but he's been playing pro basketball at the highest possible level in Europe since the age of 16! The kid won the European Championship at the age of 18. He was the second best player on his team at the time behind Goran Dragic. He won the Euroleague regular season MVP and the Euroleague Final 4 MVP at the age of 19! Just because you guys couldn't care less about european basketball, it doesn't mean that his achievements were less spectacular. Nobody has ever done these things in the past. Nobody! Yes, he's only 21 years old. So what? The kid is playing winning basketball.

Imo, the Mavs are the 3rd favorites to win the West. If they beat the Clips, they'll become 2nd favorites. LeBron is a GOAT candidate, but he ain't getting any younger. Luka is the new LeBron. I don't think he'll win it all this year, but it's definitely a possibility. At the very least, it's way more likely that Luka beats Bron than it is for Harden and Westbrook to beat him.

All I see is pages and pages of people gushing over Luka.

Where are the people that "keep underestimating Luka" here?


It seems like you got this Luka/Europe chip on your shoulder.

NBA regular season
Everybody: excited to see what Luka can do in the playoffs.
You: why do you need to see him perform in the playoffs?  He played in the playoffs in Europe!

NBA playoffs
Everybody: wow Luka is amazing
You: why are you all still underestimating Luka.

There's literally multiple comments comparing Luka to Bird/MJ/LeBron in this thread, calling him an all time great, future MVP, etc., I don't think there's one negative thing about him in this thread.

Just read the previous posts man. The convo was about which team can beat the Lakers. Sparz mentioned the Jazz. RMO and Jim mentioned the Rockets. Nobody mentioned the Mavs. Imo, they are 3rd favorites to win the West right now. That's my point.

There's a difference between underestimating a team & underestimating a player. 

People aren't crapping on Luka simply because they don't believe that the Mavs (if they even win the LAC) series can beat LAL.  This isn't some sort of transitive property criticism of player to team.

[Jvalin]

You guys keep underestimating Luka.

2018: He was good in Europe, but can he do it in the NBA?
2019: He was good last season, but can he do it again this season now that opposing teams know his game?
2020: He was good thus far in the regular season, but can he do it in the playoffs?

I mean, what's left for him to prove to you guys? If you ask me, Luka is the next Larry/Magic/LeBron. These are the players I'd compare him to. Magic won Finals MVP as a rookie. Larry reached the ECF as a rookie. Sure, Luka is younger than Magic-Bird were during their 2nd season, but he's been playing pro basketball at the highest possible level in Europe since the age of 16! The kid won the European Championship at the age of 18. He was the second best player on his team at the time behind Goran Dragic. He won the Euroleague regular season MVP and the Euroleague Final 4 MVP at the age of 19! Just because you guys couldn't care less about european basketball, it doesn't mean that his achievements were less spectacular. Nobody has ever done these things in the past. Nobody! Yes, he's only 21 years old. So what? The kid is playing winning basketball.

Imo, the Mavs are the 3rd favorites to win the West. If they beat the Clips, they'll become 2nd favorites. LeBron is a GOAT candidate, but he ain't getting any younger. Luka is the new LeBron. I don't think he'll win it all this year, but it's definitely a possibility. At the very least, it's way more likely that Luka beats Bron than it is for Harden and Westbrook to beat him.

All I see is pages and pages of people gushing over Luka.

Where are the people that "keep underestimating Luka" here?


It seems like you got this Luka/Europe chip on your shoulder.

NBA regular season
Everybody: excited to see what Luka can do in the playoffs.
You: why do you need to see him perform in the playoffs?  He played in the playoffs in Europe!

NBA playoffs
Everybody: wow Luka is amazing
You: why are you all still underestimating Luka.

There's literally multiple comments comparing Luka to Bird/MJ/LeBron in this thread, calling him an all time great, future MVP, etc., I don't think there's one negative thing about him in this thread.

Just read the previous posts man. The convo was about which team can beat the Lakers. Sparz mentioned the Jazz. RMO and Jim mentioned the Rockets. Nobody mentioned the Mavs. Imo, they are 3rd favorites to win the West right now. That's my point.

There's a difference between underestimating a team & underestimating a player. 

People aren't crapping on Luka simply because they don't believe that the Mavs (if they even win the LAC) series can beat LAL.  This isn't some sort of transitive property criticism of player to team.

Ugh, I timed out. This sucks when it happens.

The Mavs will go as far as Luka can take them. If Luka is ready to win now, then the Mavs are ready to win now as well. They got a second star in Porzingis. They got useful (to say the least) complementary pieces in Hardaway Jr, Seth, Finney-Smith, Kleber, Burke, Boban etc. All these guys exluding Boban can shoot the 3. They fit great next to each other. The Mavs are rolling! I mean, they beat the Clips without Porzingis! If their rotation players stay healthy, imo they are ready to make some serious noise. It's just unfortunate on their part that they are playing the Clips in the first round.

[Rondo9]

You guys keep underestimating Luka.

2018: He was good in Europe, but can he do it in the NBA?
2019: He was good last season, but can he do it again this season now that opposing teams know his game?
2020: He was good thus far in the regular season, but can he do it in the playoffs?

I mean, what's left for him to prove to you guys? If you ask me, Luka is the next Larry/Magic/LeBron. These are the players I'd compare him to. Magic won Finals MVP as a rookie. Larry reached the ECF as a rookie. Sure, Luka is younger than Magic-Bird were during their 2nd season, but he's been playing pro basketball at the highest possible level in Europe since the age of 16! The kid won the European Championship at the age of 18. He was the second best player on his team at the time behind Goran Dragic. He won the Euroleague regular season MVP and the Euroleague Final 4 MVP at the age of 19! Just because you guys couldn't care less about european basketball, it doesn't mean that his achievements were less spectacular. Nobody has ever done these things in the past. Nobody! Yes, he's only 21 years old. So what? The kid is playing winning basketball.

Imo, the Mavs are the 3rd favorites to win the West. If they beat the Clips, they'll become 2nd favorites. LeBron is a GOAT candidate, but he ain't getting any younger. Luka is the new LeBron. I don't think he'll win it all this year, but it's definitely a possibility. At the very least, it's way more likely that Luka beats Bron than it is for Harden and Westbrook to beat him.

All I see is pages and pages of people gushing over Luka.

Where are the people that "keep underestimating Luka" here?


It seems like you got this Luka/Europe chip on your shoulder.

NBA regular season
Everybody: excited to see what Luka can do in the playoffs.
You: why do you need to see him perform in the playoffs?  He played in the playoffs in Europe!

NBA playoffs
Everybody: wow Luka is amazing
You: why are you all still underestimating Luka.

There's literally multiple comments comparing Luka to Bird/MJ/LeBron in this thread, calling him an all time great, future MVP, etc., I don't think there's one negative thing about him in this thread.

I mean there's someone who everybody is underestimating is Trae Young.

[Donoghus]

Dame out for Game 5.

AJ McCord
@AJ_McCord
·
1m
BREAKING: Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard will miss Game 5 between #RipCity & the Lakers with a right knee sprain

[gouki88]

Dame out for Game 5.

AJ McCord
@AJ_McCord
·
1m
BREAKING: Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard will miss Game 5 between #RipCity & the Lakers with a right knee sprain

Bummer, but glad it wasn’t anything more serious.

[ozgod]

Dame out for Game 5.

AJ McCord
@AJ_McCord
·
1m
BREAKING: Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard will miss Game 5 between #RipCity & the Lakers with a right knee sprain

Bummer, but glad it wasn’t anything more serious.

I guess that means Portland has given up on the series, unless Lillard can't walk I'm sure he would have wanted to be out there in a do or die game.

[Phantom255x]

Dame out for Game 5.

AJ McCord
@AJ_McCord
·
1m
BREAKING: Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard will miss Game 5 between #RipCity & the Lakers with a right knee sprain

Blazers had a good run, but predictably their poor defense cost them and as we saw, when those long shots aren't falling for Portland they're screwed, since they are already bad at defense and the Lakers happen to be one of the better teams in transition.

I do feel for Nurkic, as even with his deficiencies the guy has heart and bought his 110% in the bubble after returning from injury. Lost his grandma to COVID but still played that play-in game against Memphis. Played heavy minutes and tried to help his team. Meanwhile Whiteside continues to look like an overrated scrub.

The Blazers biggest need is an elite wing player, and while Carmelo was solid he's just not that anymore. And frankly since Game 1 Carmelo himself has looked mediocre.

[Phantom255x]

I think the team that wins tonight wins the series in Mavericks-Clippers.

Porzingis is out again for Game 5 but he could be back Game 6. If Dallas wins tonight and gets Porzingis back, I think that's it for the Clippers. They really need Paul George to wake up. Also the Clips could use Beverley's defense but it seems he won't be available until Game 6, or Game 7.

My gut feeling though says George plays better and Kawhi goes beast-mode to give the Clippers a close win. They're definitely going to feel the urgency here.

[gouki88]

I think the team that wins tonight wins the series in Mavericks-Clippers.

Porzingis is out again for Game 5 but he could be back Game 6. If Dallas wins tonight and gets Porzingis back, I think that's it for the Clippers. They really need Paul George to wake up. Also the Clips could use Beverley's defense but it seems he won't be available until Game 6, or Game 7.

My gut feeling though says George plays better and Kawhi goes beast-mode to give the Clippers a close win. They're definitely going to feel the urgency here.

I also feel as if Montrezl will lift. He's yet to put up over 13 points, and he's a real crucial element to their team off the bench

[rondofan1255]

I wonder how much Plumlee will be offered in UFA later this year. Same with Harrell.

[RPGenerate]

I wonder if the Nuggets will make some major changes if they lose this series. Second year in a row they lost to a lower seed in the playoffs.

[Atzar]

The Mitchell-Murray duel has been entertaining.  Both of these guys can score in their sleep, but neither one of them plays much defense.  Been a lot of fireworks in this series. 

[Phantom255x]

I wonder if the Nuggets will make some major changes if they lose this series. Second year in a row they lost to a lower seed in the playoffs.

I don't know what it is about Denver. Like, they are really good, but they also aren't "special" and the kind of team you expect to go on deep playoff runs, even with Jokic and Murray.